Battery-Powered Hydraulic Riveter With Pneumatic Return

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional hydraulic power tools are heavy, cumbersome, and noisy, with cables and hoses creating a cluttered workspace and contributing to high noise levels due to their reliance on external power sources.

Innovation Solution

A battery-powered hydraulic riveter that generates hydraulic or pneumatic pressure locally, reducing the need for external cables and hoses, and using air pressure to return the rivet squeezer to its open position, thereby reducing weight and noise levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If traditional hydraulic power tools are used, then high hydraulic pressure (700 bar/10,000 psi) is achieved, but the tools become heavy (35 kg or more) and difficult to maneuver

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydraulic pressureVSAvoidtool weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tool is divided into separate functional modules: a hydraulic pump unit that generates pressure and a tool head that applies force. This segmentation allows the heavy pressure-generating components to be separated from the maneuverable tool head, reducing the weight of the portion that needs to be frequently moved and handled by the operator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible hose or tube serves as an intermediary connection between the hydraulic pump and the tool head. This allows the heavy pump to remain stationary or be positioned remotely while the lightweight tool head can be easily maneuvered to different work locations, resolving the contradiction between achieving high pressure and maintaining maneuverability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If traditional hydraulic power tools are used, then high power output is achieved, but the tools produce high noise levels (85 decibels or more)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidnoise level
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical noise-generating components (such as large engines, motors, and mechanical transmissions) with a hydraulic pump system that generates power through fluid pressure. Hydraulic systems inherently produce less mechanical noise compared to equivalent mechanical power systems, thus reducing the noise level while maintaining high power output capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a hydraulic pump to generate high pressure fluid that transmits power to the tool head. This hydraulic transmission method replaces noisy mechanical power transmission systems, achieving high power output with significantly reduced noise levels (below 62 dB in some embodiments).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Duration of action of stationary object

If traditional hydraulic power tools are used, then continuous operation is achieved, but cables and hoses create cluttered workspaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidcable and hose management
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the hydraulic pump from the tool head and positions it as a separate, stationary unit. This allows the pump to remain in a fixed location connected to power sources, while only the lightweight tool head needs to be moved around the workspace. The connection hose becomes a simple, manageable link rather than a complex entanglement of cables and hoses, reducing workspace clutter while enabling continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Weight of moving object

If battery-powered hydraulic system is used, then weight is reduced (below 15 kg), but power supply capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool weightVSAvoidpower supply capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a battery-powered hydraulic pump unit and a separate tool head. The battery provides portable power to the pump, which generates hydraulic pressure to drive the tool head. This segmentation allows the use of a compact, lightweight battery system that would be insufficient if it had to directly power the entire tool assembly, thereby achieving reduced weight while maintaining adequate power supply capacity for the actual cutting or drilling operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The battery-powered hydraulic riveter is more maneuverable, weighs less than 15 kg, and operates at noise levels below 62 dB, improving workspace efficiency and reducing noise pollution.

Implementation Method 1

A battery-powered hydraulic riveter that generates hydraulic or pneumatic pressure locally

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

using air pressure to return the rivet squeezer to its open position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3519123B1Portable hydraulic power tool
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 APEX BRANDS INC
  • EP3519123B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3519123B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3519123B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A hydraulic power tool is provided including a rivet squeezer comprising two opposing surfaces, a hydraulic cylinder configured to move the surfaces between an open position and a compressed position, a hydraulic pump configured to provide hydraulic pressure to actuate the hydraulic cylinder in a first direction, and an air tank configured to provide pneumatic pressure to actuate the hydraulic cylinder in a second direction. Actuation of the hydraulic cylinder in the first direction causes the surfaces to move from the open position to the compressed position and actuation of the hydraulic cylinder in the second direction causes the surfaces to move from the compressed position to the open position.